{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}} 
Ethan Ampadu 9/10, Willy Gnonto 4/10 - Leeds United player ratings v Millwall
It was an excellent team performance from the Leeds United players as they earned an outstanding victory at Millwall on Sunday (17 September).
A confidently taken Joel Piroe goal in the first half gave the Whites a 1-0 lead at the break before his second was complemented by a late third from Georginio Rutter to secure an impressive 3-0 win.
Daniel Farke will have been delighted to see his side limit the Lions to so few chances, with his defenders standing up well and making themselves accounted for at The Den.
Here, MOT Leeds News rates the Leeds players out of 10 for their performances in the Championship fixture, as a battling display from the majority of the team earned them all three points.
Illan Meslier – 7
Had a couple of shaky moments early on, as he played a poor ball out from the back that almost landed his side in trouble. The Frenchman made a good save to deny Bradshaw and beat the ball away from danger. He looked more solid as the game went on and claimed the ball on a couple of occasions.
Luke Ayling – 6
Ayling was almost caught out in his own area, but he recovered well to steer the ball away from danger when under pressure. Played a lovely ball in behind to Summerville, who nearly scored with a dinked effort. He kept Millwall winger Casper De Norre very quiet before he was replaced midway through the second half.
Joe Rodon – 8
The centre-back was solid in the first half and took a nasty knock on the head that he recovered well from. He was a rock at the back and showed exactly why Leeds were keen to bring him in, stepping in to win the ball in the air and looking assured in his duels on the floor. In what is one of the most difficult places in the league for a defender to go, he didn’t put a foot wrong.
Pascal Struijk – 7
Had a chance from a corner on 10 minutes but couldn’t turn the ball home. Struijk was caught out of position as Bradshaw went through on goal in the second half and got a shot away in a promising area. He was largely solid, though, and showed signs that he is building up a good partnership with Rodon.
Sam Byram – 6
The defender didn’t have too much of an impact in terms of an attacking sense, but he was solid at the back. He tucked in well alongside his centre-backs to ensure they weren’t caught out from one of the several balls that were crossed into the box. Proved he can be relied upon to do a job.
Archie Gray – 6
The midfielder wasn’t heavily involved, but he showed great composure at such a young age in what can be an extremely difficult environment to play in. Gray set off the attack for the opening goal well, playing the ball through the lines to Rutter. He did the simple parts of the game well and was competitive.
Ethan Ampadu – 9
Did the dirty work well against a Millwall side known for its tough-tackling and stepped in at centre-back when Rodon was off the pitch. The midfielder did his usual job of patrolling in front of the defence and allowed very little to get past him. He was instrumental in the build-up to third goal, playing a lovely ball through to Dan James to drive towards the Lions’ box. A truly top-class performance from Ampadu.
Crysencio Summerville (Off for James ’69) – 5
Looking to run in behind the defence, Summerville almost scored with a superb lobbed effort from an extremely tight angle midway through the first half. He perhaps didn’t have as much impact on the game as he would’ve liked and the side were probably more threatening after he went off.
Joel Piroe (Off for Kamara ’83) – 8
Took his first goal superbly to guide the ball past the keeper after being played in behind by Rutter. He didn’t have too much of an impact on the game as a whole, but he was in the right position again on 77 minutes to tap the ball home into an empty net. The forward showed exactly why the Whites wanted to sign him.
Willy Gnonto (Off for Kamara) – 4
Pulled out wide well and showed good composure to find Rutter in the build-up to the opener. Didn’t do his defensive duties well in the opening stages of the second half, as he let his man go almost resulting in a Millwall goal and was then fortunate to not end up in the book for a shirt pull. After being replaced midway through the half, he may be a bit frustrated with his afternoon for a player of his quality.
Georginio Rutter – 7 (Off for Gelhardt ’89)
Looked dangerous getting in behind early on. Played a lovely ball to Piroe for the opening goal after a neat one-two with Gnonto. He looked good outside of the box and then had more of an impact in the opposition’s penalty area as the game wore on. Rutter picked out James well in the build-up to the second goal before putting in a lung-bursting run to grab a goal of his own to cap off a superb afternoon for his side.
Substitutes
Daniel James (On for Summerville ’69) – 7
Looked extremely bright after coming on and added more threat to the Leeds attack. He made a real statement as to why he should be involved from the start for the next game, setting up two goals.
Jaidon Anthony (On for Gnonto ’69) – 5
Had a couple of bright moments but didn’t get much of the ball during his time on the pitch.
Glen Kamara (On for Piroe ’83) – N/A
Joe Gelhardt (On for Rutter ’89) – N/A
Ilia Gruev (On for Gray ’89) – N/A
In other Leeds United news, an overseas journalist has provided a damning verdict on one player’s international hopes.